How to Crop Ears
Ear cropping is a surgical procedure which is designed to alter the physical appearance of a dog by changing the shape and size of the ears. It is strictly a cosmetic procedure with no medical benefits and is quite controversial. The American Kennel Club supports the right of pet owners to have their dog's ears cropped. Other organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, consider ear cropping to be cruel and inhumane and believe it should be banned.
If ear cropping is elected, it should be performed only by a veterinarian, under aseptic conditions with proper anesthetic protocols and adequate pain management. It is not a procedure that should be performed by a layperson.
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Things You'll Need
- Pre-anesthetic agents
- Anesthetic agents
- Pain control medications
- Surgical caps, masks
- Sterile surgical pack containing scissors, hemostats, scalpel, gown, gloves
- Electrocautery unit (optional)
- Suture material
Instructions
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Obtain a thorough medical history for the puppy. Any evidence of previous or current illnesses should be noted and may include listlessness, lack of appetite, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea.
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Perform a thorough physical examination to ensure the health of the dog. The physical examination should include evaluation of eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, lymph nodes, skin, external genitalia, musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Vital signs such as respiratory rate, heart rate and temperature should be noted. Any abnormalities found should prompt consideration as to whether the abnormality poses risk to the pet in regard to anesthesia and surgery.
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Premedicate the puppy approximately 10 to 20 minutes before surgery using appropriate medications such as butorphanol, buprenorphine, morphine, hydromorphone, diazepam or medetomidine. Once the puppy is relaxed and calm, place an intravenous catheter (a needle that is placed into the vein). Induce anesthesia with medications such as ketamine, diazepam, medetomidine or propofol administered intravenously. Intubate the puppy with an endotracheal tube (a tube inserted into the airway). Place on an inhalant gas anesthetic such as isofluorane or sevofluorane to maintain anesthesia throughout the surgical procedure. Supplemental oxygen should also be administered.
The exact anesthetic protocol will vary depending on the surgeon's preferences and experiences and the physical condition of the patient.
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Monitor the vital signs of the puppy throughout the surgical procedure. A surgical technician or assistant should monitor parameters including respiratory rate, heart rate, heart rhythm (using an electrocardiogram or EKG), blood pressure, oxygen saturation of blood (using pulse oximetry), amount of carbon dioxide being breathed out (with an end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor) and temperature.
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Prepare the puppy for surgery by having a surgical technician or assistant shave all the hair from the ears, clean the skin with a surgical scrub solution, transport the puppy to the surgical area and use cotton balls or gauze sponges to apply a final layer of surgical disinfectant solution to the ears.
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Put on a surgical cap and mask. Prepare for surgery by performing a surgical scrub on both hands and arms, using a surgical scrub solution and a sterile brush. Put on a sterile surgical gown and gloves. Have a technician tie the gown in place.
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Use a sterile surgical marker to mark the ears where the cuts should be made. The shape of the ear is determined by the breed standard and varies from breed to breed. Use sterile scissors or a sterile scalpel to make the incisions, starting at the front of the ear and working toward the rear. Measure both ears before and after the crop to make sure they are even and have received the same crop. Control any bleeding by using sterile hemostats to clamp off and suture bleeding vessels or by cauterizing the bleeding vessels. Suture the wound edges using a continuous pattern running along the entire cut edge of the ear or individual sutures placed at regular intervals along the cut edge of the entire ear.
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Discontinue the inhalant anesthetic approximately five to 10 minutes before completing the surgery. Continue to monitor the puppy's vital signs during the recovery period. Remove the endotracheal tube once the puppy regains his swallow/gag reflex and begins to be able to swallow again. Once the puppy has recovered from the anesthetic, the intravenous catheter can be removed.
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Continue medications to control pain for several days after the surgical procedure. Pain-medication options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as carprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib and etodolac. Opiate medications such as tramadol and buprenorphine are other options. Sutures should be removed from the ears in 10 to 14 days. The ears will need to be taped after the surgery to get them to stand in an upright position.
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